Serum Intestinal Fatty Acid‐Binding Protein as A Biomarker of Gut Barrier Integrity in Menopausal Women

Background Estrogen deficiency during menopause may impair gut barrier integrity, increasing permeability and leading to low‐grade inflammation. This study aims to assess blood I‐FABP levels as a biomarker of gut barrier integrity in menopausal women and to examine their association with menopausal symptoms and lifestyle factors. Methods A cross‐sectional, case–control study was conducted with a total of 40 women, including 20 menopausal and 20 non‐menopausal participants, recruited from Çukurova University Balcali Hospital. Serum I‐FABP levels were measured using a standardized sandwich ELISA technique. The statistical analyses included the independent samples t ‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi‐squared test, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results The average serum I‐FABP levels were significantly higher in menopausal women than in non‐menopausal controls (1.17 ± 0.28 vs. 0.73 ± 0.30 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.869, indicating 85% sensitivity and 80% specificity at the optimal threshold of 1.0 ng/mL. Elevated I‐FABP levels were associated with a 22.7‐fold increased likelihood of menopause ( p < 0.001). Age was an independent predictor of elevated I‐FABP levels (OR = 1.72, p = 0.024). Conclusion In Conclusion, Serum I‐ FABP levels are significantly increased in menopausal women, suggesting compromised gut barrier integrity likely related to estrogen deficiency. Although the sample size provides sufficient statistical power, its small magnitude remains a notable limitation. More long‐term studies are needed to confirm these results and look into the reasons behind them.